Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy BY CAROLINE LINDEN “You’ve got to get there and teach them to read and write and think…and that I think is the biggest job for our society and if we keep at it relentlessly, 30, 40, 50 years from now you will have a good part of the work” –Ateed Riaz (The Citizens Foundation) This quotation from Ateed Riaz of the Citizens Foundation seems, for me, to resonate with the ...

At GES, we tend to focus on ideas. Big ideas. After all, why not? Big ideas change the world. We tend to focus less on hard numbers, data, and statistics, and more on individual stories and communities. While an understanding on the individual level is key, numbers can also help tell our stories.  But as much as some of us might hate to admit it, data and statistics lie behind these changes. Hans Rosling presents an engaging way to look at ...

NPR’s Frank Langfitt shares his experience during a recent reporting trip to Taiwan with NPR’s News Blog, The two-way.  For GES Staffer Brian Chen, a Taiwanese American himself, he sees both sides of the argument.  In the globalized world today, a friendlier economic situation with China will be helpful for businesses in Taiwan. However he is proud of Taiwan's democratic ideals and hopes that as these two governments work together towards a better and brighter future, Taiwan will stand strong ...

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting Hakim Belabbes, a Moroccan filmmaker who currently divides his time between Chicago and Morocco.  As I watched his documentaries, it became immediately apparent that his primary interest in filmmaking was showcasing the people whom he filmed.  By virtue of their humanity and their hopes and fears, they were natural stars for Belabbes.  More than once he emphasized his belief that what many perceive as ordinary is actually extraordinary. Through his films ...

A new Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ), biweekly feature “Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham Visionaries” shows a glimpse into a diverse group of people right in our own backyard! The series profiles “visionaries with an eye on our region’s future,” but also draws connections to the international level. The people profiled run the gamut from a community developer to a cancer researcher to an architect. And, of course, the profiles are done in audio, which is fantastic. Angela Hurlock, of Claretian Associates, develops affordable ...

Connected through one continuous song, this video links street performers from around the globe (ranging from South Africa to Venezuela to the United States). The video is a clip from the documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music," and offers and excellent example of responsible media. It not only displays the talents and artistry of individuals too-often looked down upon (street musicians), but it also conjures a sense of connectedness and solidarity. Enjoy!

Embedded video from CNN Video The deadline for submissions for the fall OpenShutter show has passed, and photos have been selected. Guests to the OpenShutter show, which kicks off with an opening reception on Friday, November 13 from 6-8pm, are in for a real treat!  Please join us at Enigma Café! In the meantime, a fellow GES member brought to our attention a CNN video clip, in which Paula Newton reports on images taken by children at a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon ...